Page 10 of The Nanny Goal

Alexei jogs across the street, an unexpected grin on his face. “You are alone.”

It sounds like a statement, rather than a question, and he has no idea just how accurate that observation is.

Baby Granger has always, will always, be alone. Even when I fly to a whole other country to see my family.

“Where are your family?” His breath puffs out between us, reminding me just how effing cold it is here in Calgary tonight.

“My parents went to Forrest’s apartment.” I rock back on my heels as recognition glints in Alexei’s eyes. “But you knew that.”

His nod is bold and unashamed. “I knew that.” He gestures at the hotel. “I could…buy you a coffee?”

“We just had coffee after dinner.”

His smile broadens. “Black espresso, one sugar cube. Yes.”

The fact that he noticed how I took my coffee does funny things to me, leaving me speechless. And judging by the way his expression shifts, it’s no secret. I’m pretty sure my pleasure at being seen is written all over my face.

He steps closer, and suddenly he’s all I can see. Thick black hair falling forward over slashing eyebrows. His skin is paler than my hearty Midwest pink-cheeked aesthetic, and his jawline is impeccable. If his hockey career ends too soon, he could pivot to playing an elegant vampire on the big screen no problemo. “Then I wish I could walk you home. But I am too late.”

“Too late for what?” My question is breathless and silly. He’s already said it, but I don’t want this conversation to end. I like the way he’s curved over me way too much for my own good. I lick my lips. “I’m not home yet. You could walk me to my room?”

His mouth curves into a beautiful smile. “Yes. I will.”

His hand ghosts in the small of my back as he guides me through the lobby to the elevator.

We have to wait a minute, watching the floor indicator count down, and neither of us say anything.

My heart is pounding. I know what I’m doing here. I’m inviting my brother’s teammate to my room. Not just to walk me to the door, but inside.

And once he’s in my room, we’ll do things that I haven’t done with anyone else yet, and tomorrow when I see him play hockey in the net behind my brother, I’ll pretend this never happened.

I’ve been around hockey players my entire life, and for the last four years, I’ve shared an arena with an entire team of college-aged boys.

I know what this is and what it isn’t. I’ve just never wantedthisbefore tonight.

The elevator dings, and the doors slide open.

We have the lift to ourselves, and as the doors begin to close, we turn to face each other.

“My brother can’t find out about this,” I start to say.

Alexei’s already looking at my mouth. “You will be my secret.”

“Yeah, I get it—” The rest of that thought dies on my tongue as he takes my face in his hands and tips my head up to meet his confident mouth.

I will be his secret.

My brain goes fuzzy at the first lush, experienced press of his lips. It’s a take charge, confident kind of kiss, which is exactly what I need.

For all the surface similarities Alexei might have with the annoying, immature hockey players that surround me, this kiss promises he’s a different type of man. Cosmopolitan and mature.

A guaranteed good time, worth pausing my preferences on for a single night. Fantasy material for the foreseeable future.

And maybe, just maybe, reason to visit Calgary again.

“Kiss me back, solnishko.” He chuckles as he strokes his thumb along my jaw, guiding my mouth to open wider for him.

I blink in surprise, then lunge up at him just as the elevator dings, arriving at my floor. He’s laughing, too, as he lets me kiss him for a hot second before slickly putting distance between us in time for the doors to open.

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